Good Evening, Greetings… Series of “lessons from Matthew.” (SLIDE) Last week we examined the “Limited Commission” found in Matthew 10. This week we are going to look at a conversation Jesus had about John the Baptist. (SLIDE)

The Messiah On The Baptist Matthew 11:1-19 The Messiah On The Baptist At the height of His early ministry, Jesus was approached by two disciples of John the Baptist. Remember John was in prison for upsetting Herod and the woman he was married to Herodias. John had been proclaiming that Herodias was Herod’s brother’s wife not Herod’s. We are not told why John at this moment needed confirmation concerning Jesus as the Messiah. Maybe it was his impending death, or maybe it was to help his disciples follow Jesus. During Jesus’ conversation with these two men He pointed to His works and how blessed those that did not become offended because of Jesus were. Jesus used this opportunity to tell the multitudes about John. He wasn’t someone easily shaken or a man in soft clothing but a prophet of God. He wasn’t just any prophet John was the prophet spoken of by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3) and Malachi (Malachi 3:1; 4:5). After telling the people about how great John was He made two amazing statements. (Matthew 11:11) First, there was no person on earth past or present greater than John the Baptist. Can you imagine that being said of you? Second, the least in the “kingdom of heaven” is greater than John. It is this second statement that has perplexed many over the years. We know the kingdom of heaven here is dealing with the church. We also know that there are many people in the church that simply do not measure up to a man like John the Baptist. How can any of us be greater than he? As we learn the answer to that great question I pray it fills us with humility and gratitude, and encourages us to a greater dedication in our service to our Lord and Savior. With this in mind let us look at our lesson for today. (SLIDE) The Greatest In The Kingdom

The Messiah On The Baptist Kingdom The Messiah On The Baptist The Greatness of John The Baptist There can be no doubt from what Jesus said that John was truly a great man. He endured a life of voluntary simplicity (Luke 1:80; Matthew 3:4). He showed great courage preaching again the king Herod’s unlawful marriage (Matthew 14:3-4). He possessed humility, showing “He must increase and I must decrease” (John 3:30). There can be no doubt that John was not only a great man but a great prophet. His influence brought people throughout Judea in the desert (Matthew 3:1-5). They were moved to be baptized and confess their sins (Matthew 3:6) Yet, he did not weak his message to accommodate his audience (Matthew 3:7-8) John was great in preparing the way for Christ. This was his mission (Matthew 3:3). When Jesus came he pointed his disciples Jesus’ way (John 1:29, 34-36) As great as John was Jesus also stated…(SLIDE)

The Messiah On The Baptist Kingdom The Messiah On The Baptist The Greatness of Those In The Kingdom No one was better at his faithfulness to God than John. Not Elijah, Moses, Abraham…They might be “as great” but not greater. So how is that the least in the kingdom is “greater” than John? First, because we enjoy a greater knowledge of Christ than John did. John’s question about whether or not Jesus was truly the Messiah implies this (Matthew 11:2-3). John had not witnessed all the disciples had witnessed about Jesus or heard all that the disciples had heard (Matthew 13:16-17). We have great knowledge of Christ because… We know the wonderful account of the cross!!! We know the wonderful nature of the kingdom, its establishment, and future glory!!! We even know much more than even Jesus’ disciples, at that time, know about him (John 16:12-13). Brothers and sisters even the least in the kingdom of God knows more about Jesus than John did. Second, the least in the kingdom is greater than John because they enjoy a greater “house of God.” John was never in the kingdom of heaven i.e. the church during his life. He preached it was “at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2). We, children of God, are in the kingdom of heaven i.e. the church. We have been translated into it (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9). We have been made into a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). With John living under the “Old Covenant” even the least in the kingdom of God lives in a kingdom with a better sacrifice, hope, and promises (Hebrews 7:9; 8:6). Thirdly, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John because we enjoy greater privileges. John certainly enjoyed wonderful privileges. He was filled with the Spirit even in the womb (Luke 1:15). Jesus, however, offers things today that John did not have access to. All those in the kingdom have a gift/measure of the Holy Spirit that was only offered after Jesus was “glorified” (John 7:37-39). This couldn’t be “the miraculous” or “inspiration” because a lot of people had that before Christ even became flesh. It is the “washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit” that is under consideration (Titus 3:5-7). John was born of woman but those in the kingdom are born of the Spirit (John 3:5). All those in the kingdom also have the fellowship of the church which John was not a part of. We are all of “one body” (Romans 12:5). We are all of “one mind” (1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 John 1:7). We have a “hundred-fold” more family members than John had (Mark 10:28-30) (SLIDE)

Mark 10:28-30 “Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The Messiah On The Baptist Matthew 11:1-19 The Messiah On The Baptist Brothers and sisters when we consider the impact Jesus’ statement about “the least in the kingdom being greater than John” it should… Humble us greatly and gives us a great sense of gratitude for being a part of the kingdom of heaven. The Greatest In The Kingdom

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7